Course Description The seventh grade English course uses a reading-writing approach to language acquisition.

It aspires to prepare students in the essential reading skills to make each student active and reflexive readers while at the same time develop and enhance the students writing ability. Special attention is given to vocabulary development throughout each reading unit. Also short grammar workshops are used to improve students proficiency in the language arts.

Course General Objectives At the end of this course of study the students will attain proficiency in the use of English as a second language through significant experiences in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 1.The achievement of this proficiency involves the ability to : a. Comprehend and report accurately that which is heard. b. Vary ones use of spoken language to suit different situations with correct grammar, pronunciation and adequate intonation. c. Comprehend and interpret that which is read. d. Express oneself in writing with clarity and precision. 2. To develop in all students the necessary skills that will allow them to use English to communicate appropriately and effectively. 3. To develop in all students skills of reading English, this will prepare them to acquire information and knowledge as well as for the enjoyment of literature. 4. To guide students to develop a variety of critical thinking approaches for the evaluation of literary works. 5. To develop in all students an interaction between text and students experiences that will aid and develop reading comprehension. 6. To cultivate among students an awareness of humanistic values found in representative literary works in English. 7. To develop in students the ability to express their ideas in written form about literary pieces. 8. To develop in students creative ability to express their ideas in written form. 9. To promote among the students an understanding and appreciation for the cultures of English speaking countries. 10. To make students aware of the relevance of the English language in their career development and/or lifestyles.

English Teacher
Jos O. Rivas Otero

Office Hours : Monday Friday 12:30 1:15

Class website www.mrrivasenglishclass.weeble.com

Course Outline
(subject to revision) A. Unit 1 The Joy of Reading 1. Elements of the short story a. Plot b. Conflict 2. Readers Workshop a. Context Clues / b. Cause-Effect Relationship c. Sequence of events 3. Writers Workshop a. Retelling 4. SelectionsThe Library Card a. Mongoose b. Brenda c. April 5. Grammar- Nouns a. Classification of Nouns b. Possessive Form c. Pluralization of Nouns 1. Spelling rules B. Unit 2 : Understanding Fiction and NonFiction 1. Comparing and Contrasting Fiction and Nonfiction A. Fiction 1.Elements of Fiction 2.Type of Fiction B. NonFiction 1. Elements of Nonfiction 2. Types of Nonfiction 2. Readers Workshop a. Authors purpose b. Prefixes c. Making Inferences 3. Writers Workshop a. Narration 4. Selectionsa. The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks b. Discovering a Paper Son c. The Fall of the Hindenburg d. My First Free Summer e. The Night the Bed Fell f. The Dinner Party g. The Bear Boy h. Seventh Grade i. The Third Wish 5. Grammar- Pronouns a. Pronoun Agreement b. Pronoun Case 1.subjective 2.Objective 3.Possessive

C. Unit 3 The Novel 1. Selection- Maniac Magee 2. Readers Workshop a. Analyzing Characters 1. Character Traits 2. Characterization 3. Writers workshop a. Descriptive Essay 4. Grammar- Kinds of Verbs a. Action 1. regular and irregular b. Linking 1. verb be and other verbs c. Verb phrase

D. Unit 4 The Short Story 1. Review of Elements of the short story a. Plot b. Conflict c. Setting d. Character e. Point of view 2. Readers Workshop a. Making Predictions b. Making Inferences 3. Writers Workshop a. Autobiographical Narrative 4. Selectionsa. The Treasure of Lemon Brown b. Amigo Brothers c. Ribbons d. He-y Come on Out e. An American Childhood f. Angelas Ashes 5. Grammar- The Sentence a. Kinds of Sentences b. Subject c. Predicate

Materials
Loose leaf paper Glue Color pencils Pencil Large manila envelope

Evaluation
A. Quizzes Reading Check of each selection Grammar Spelling and Usage B. Test There will be various tests for both reading and grammar based on skills discussed in each unit. C. Composition Writing in response to literature D. Reading Writing Portfolio E. Special projects